Wednesday 21 September 2011

The slanging match between the Government and Opposition has continued over the proposed changes to the Migration Act and Euromoney magazine's decision to award Wayne Swan as the best treasurer in the world. The Opposition says it won't congratulate a man responsible for squandering a surplus. More

The Federal Government says it must act decisively to help retrain workers hurt by the high Australian dollar. The Minister for Skills and Jobs, Senator Chris Evans says a new Skills Connect program will "match-make" skilled unemployed workers into new jobs. This includes funding a new program to attract more "fly-in-fly-out" workers to remote mining locations. More

Tasmania's Lower House has become the first in Australia to vote in favour of same sex marriage. While gay rights groups celebrate, religious leaders are left disappointed and the Opposition, who voted against the motion, says the Greens and Labor are just grandstanding. More

Queensland's Floods Inquiry has heard some Brisbane homes inundated in January's floods would be worse off if climate change predictions are realised. And the inquiry also heard further criticism that the Q100 terminology used by authorities to define flood risks is both misleading and confusing. More

The former prime minister Malcolm Fraser has accused the Federal Government and Opposition of appealing to a "redneck" minority in the asylum seeker debate. Mr Fraser says the Federal Government has a responsibility towards asylum seekers from Afghanistan, because of Australia's military intervention in the country. More

One of the world's most secretive nations is communist North Korea but even it can't keep everything secret. North Korean defectors have revealed various state secrets to a congressional panel in Washington, from the name of the North Korean leader's mistress to the rules at a notorious prison camp. More

The Federal Government has unveiled changes to superannuation laws designed to push more people into low cost, commission-free superannuation funds. The changes were promised at the last election. The Financial Services Minister, Bill Shorten says the reforms will encourage workers to save more for retirement and help reduce super fund members' fees. More

A sharp rise in dolphin deaths has led conservation groups to call for a ban on gillnet fishing in South Australian waters. The shark industry admits dolphins and sea lions are dying in the nets of shark fishermen but say environmental factors and not fishing methods are to blame. More

The IMF has marginally lowered its economic growth forecasts for the world and Australia, but says risks are heavily skewed to the downside. David Jones' profit certainly reflects the gloom, falling 1.5 per cent, but outdoor goods retailer Kathmandu had a very healthy 55 per cent bounce in bottom-line. More

David Jones shares gained as its result met previously lowered expectations, while Kathmandu fell slightly as its profit rise was expected after its previously released sales figures. Most blue chip companies gained ground, leaving the Australian share market around 0.7 per cent higher. More

From the Archives

25th November 2009

History repeating? In 2009 the headline was: Can Turnbull survive to the next election?